The Official Website for the Best Blogging Event of the Year!

Why The Bloggers Bash Is Like Bathing In Chocolate

When I began blogging, nearly five years ago, I had one plan and several assumptions. The plan was to provide a vehicle for my writing – I had a book I wanted to publish and had heard that having a blog would be a good vehicle to ‘get my name out there’. I had no real idea how that might manifest itself and whether blogging was in fact the sort of thing someone like me- a novice writer with the conceit to think others might enjoy his writing.

You see, if I thought about blogging I thought about business people – serous professional people – producing serous professional stuff to a tight focused serous audience. Like the website at my law firm to which I contributed well researched, detailed pieces of dullness.

Which is where the assumptions came in:

1. Bloggers were serious people

2. They hid their true selves and you shouldn’t trust you ‘knew’ someone from their blogs

Of course none of these applied to me and there would be some, hopefully many, who like me tried to be true to themselves. But still there had to be weirdos. Yes?

It took me several months to put up a post. I was anxious. I wrote a semi serious piece on the Cornish language. It had two views. And a comment! A supportive comment too.

And that took me to others’ blogs. And other people and other blogs.

And they were lovely. Generous, thoughtful, considerate and, who knew helpful.

But still, behind it, I wondered, was this real? Were these people, in truth, as they appeared to be on their blog. Which, in one of those serendipitous moments I’ve come to associate with blogging, led me into an (online) conversation with Sacha Black. Mad woman had this idea for a get together, a physical meeting of bloggers. There were four of us, who organised the first Bash. We had no idea who might turn up. In the end there were twenty-five bloggers.

And guess what? They were exactly as their blogs suggested they would be. No hidden extras, no creepy strangeness. They were exactly as it said on the tin.

All of us commented on it.

Since that first Bash, we’ve held four and if there’s one common theme it’s that. People are as you expect.

Now I’m sure there are charlatans out there but we’ve yet to meet them. Instead they are sincere, open and welcoming. It’s easily the best thing about blogging.

I’ve learnt a lot, increased my productivity exponentially including publishing seven books. And that wouldn’t have happened had bloggers not helped me, given me tips, offered me beta reads, recommended editors, pointed out traps for self publishers like me and provided me with so much kind thoughtful support that I’ve been inspired to carry on.

But meeting my fellow bloggers at the Bash – well that is the icing on the cake.

If you get the chance, come along. I guarantee that, not only will you not be disappointed, but you will wonder why you’ve not been before.

Geoff is one of the founding members of the Bloggers Bash Committee. He lives in London and, as well as writing, loves to bake and enjoys watching cricket. He has a wicked sense of humour and usually ends up bringing lots of home-baked cakes to the Bloggers Bash. Geoff’s blog covers a variety of subjects, including travel, flash fiction, family memories and humour. You can find him over at his blog here, and check out his Amazon page here

Well that was all very well until the second Bash and I turned up. An over excitable ABB enthusiast! I love the Bash, do come and join us we don’t bite. Well not as long as Geoff and Ritu bring enough cakes!😉💜💜💜💜

I was nervous the first year I attended the Bash, not sure if the people there would be entirely different from their blogs. In fact it was like walking into a room full of people I already knew. I couldn’t make it this year and really missed it. I’ll definitely be there next year. Date’s in my diary.

Certainly there are bloggers out there who are out for themselves but they generally show their spots pretty early on. I’m delighted that the bash has taken off and although I’ll probably never make it, I do look forward to hearing all about it. And since it generally takes place around my birthday, makes an excellent present for me!

Reblogged this on Mary Smith's Place and commented:
Find out why attending the Bloggers Bash is like bathing in chocolate (I think Geoff shoudl have added the word warm before chocolate) – and why you should book your ticket for an amazing day with bloggers from all over the world.

Well, we enjoyed meeting you Geoff, and we were also fortunate to meet a few more people that I have “met” during my time as a blogger. I must admit to a huge amount of apprehension and social awkwardness on a first meeting. With thoughts of “Why did I say that!”.
It’s worth making an effort to meet up with fellow bloggers in real life, makes the blogging experience so much more rewarding. I have heard good reports about the bash, hopefully, the stars, moon etc. will align and I get to have a chance to go.

This was so very well said Geoff. Very much like my much shorter experience with blogging and those who do it. There seems to be louts of authentic and wonderful folks out there stringing words together for the pleasure of it mostly and some even making some money at it.

Hi Geoff… I’ll never forget meeting you that first time, Sacha and I crept up behind you to surprise you but when you turned round, we were the ones who were surprised, because your beard was PINK! 🤣 Good old days! I have booked my flights and have my ticket, so see you soon!